08.25.2019

SERVICE SUMMARY: Broke, tired, hungry, spent, dry—scarcity is a concept we know all too well. And this scarcity leads to anxiety. But Jesus says there is another way—that we can joyfully live in abundance. Come this week as we hear afresh his invitation to a joy-filled life.

REFLECTIONS:

Spiritual life flows out of union with Christ, not merely imitation of Christ.”

―Richard F. Lovelace,Dynamics of Spiritual Life

We must understand that as long as Christ remains outside of us, and we are separated from him, all that he has suffered and done for the salvation of the human race remains useless and of no value for us. Therefore, to share with us what he has received from the Father, he had to become ours and to dwell within us.

—John Calvin

Running on (running on empty)

Running on (running blind)

Running on (running into the sun)

But I’m running behind

—Jackson Browne

SCRIPTURE:

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

3

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the deadly pestilence.

4

He will cover you with his pinions,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5

You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

6

nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7

A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

8

You will only look with your eyes

and see the recompense of the wicked.

9

Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—

the Most High, who is my refuge—

10

no evil shall be allowed to befall you,

no plague come near your tent.

11

For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.

12

On their hands they will bear you up,

lest you strike your foot against a stone.

13

You will tread on the lion and the adder;

the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

14

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;

I will protect him, because he knows my name.

15

When he calls to me, I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will rescue him and honor him.

16

With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

John 15:1-11

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

CONFESSION OF SIN – based on Philippians 2:3-8

We confess that we don’t always have the mind of Christ;Instead we live by selfish ambition and conceit.In our pride we consider ourselves more significant than others.

Lord, have mercy.

We pursue our own interests over the interests of others.We have have an inflated view of ourselves,And believe others exist for our goals.

Christ, have mercy.

We build ourselves up and take the posture of a master,bossing others around as if we were gods.We obey our own desires, even to the point of self-destruction.